Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association Summer Tour Heads to Southeast Wisconsin with Stops Showcasing Innovation and Tradition

Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association Summer Tour Heads to Southeast Wisconsin with Stops Showcasing Innovation and Tradition

VERONA, Wis. – The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association invites beef producers from across the state to gather in southeast Wisconsin for its annual Summer Production Tour on Saturday, June 28—a day dedicated to learning, networking, and seeing firsthand how the industry is adapting and thriving in today’s beef industry.   

The first stop will be at Adams Land and Cattle. Located just outside of Lake Geneva, Adams Land and Cattle is a fourth-generation family farm with deep roots in Wisconsin agriculture. The Adams family moved from St. Charles, Illinois, to their current location in 1952, starting as a dairy operation with cash crops. Today, Dave and Sherry Adams, along with their children Kimberly, Stacey, and Andrew, continue to build on that legacy. The family manages nearly 1,500 acres of corn, soybeans, and hay, supporting a beef herd that typically ranges from 150 to 225 head. They currently maintain about 180 head, including purebred Angus, Charolais, and crossbred cattle. Andrew also raises dairy-cross calves, adding further diversity to their operation. Dedicated to both production and promotion, the Adams family frequently partners with the Wisconsin Beef Council to host farm-to-fork tours for dietitians and culinary students—helping bridge the gap between farm and plate. Attendees of this year’s Summer Tour will gain firsthand insight into how this progressive family farm blends tradition with innovation in Wisconsin’s beef industry.   

The DeLong Co. Inc. in Clinton will then welcome attendees to their facility. This sixth-generation, family-owned agribusiness has been operating for more than 110 years. Their motto, “We cultivate prosperity,” reflects their commitment to farmers, families, communities, and future generations. They function across six main divisions including agronomy, seed, grain, exports, transport, and wholesale. Founded in 1913 by William E. and Jesse DeLong in Darien, Wis., DeLong expanded through acquisitions and infrastructure investments. Over the coming decades, the company pioneered in feed milling, fertilizer production (including Wisconsin’s first liquid fertilizer), grain storage, and transportation infrastructure. In the 1980s, they entered identity-preserved and food-grade grain markets and established export and transport subsidiaries, growing into a containerized export leader. The company currently operates 39 facilities across seven states.    

The tour will head to Country Pride Meats in Clinton. Established in 2009, Country Pride Meats offers custom slaughter for beef, hogs, lambs, goats, bison, and elk. They also stock a full freezer and fresh retail counter. They are known for their specialty sausages carrying more than 30 different varieties of bratwurst along with several different types of summer sausage and snack sticks made in house. Their team will share insights into meat marketing and value-added opportunities that can help farmers diversify and grow their customer base. Attendees will enjoy lunch at Country Pride Meats, including burgers and their popular Philly Cheese Steak Beef Brats.   

The final stop will be Blueprint Genetics LLC in Janesville. The goal of Blueprint Genetics is to improve the bottom line for producers by helping them maximize the genetics potential of their herd with donor housing and ET and IVF service. They built a donor housing facility designed for comfort as well as special needs housing for cattle that require attentive care. They work closely with a nutritionist who focuses on donor condition and offer creep feed for any calves alongside cows. Blueprint Genetics works with trained veterinarians, going above and beyond for animal health with their protocols. Guests can enjoy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments at the conclusion of the tour. 

The event will also have special guest speakers including Wisconsin Beef Council Executive director Tammy Vaassen. The 2025 Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association award recipients will be honored as well as this year’s scholarship recipients. Lunch and hors d'oeuvres are included in the registration fee. Attendees will be responsible for their own transportation. Registration for this one-day program is $50, or $45 per attendee for groups of four or more. A Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association membership is not required to participate. Registration is available online. Please contact WCA with questions at 608-228-1457 or [email protected].

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The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association is a trusted leader in the Wisconsin beef industry and gives a voice to Wisconsin’s beef producers on a local, regional and national level. Cattlemen and women can count on the WCA to protect their backs when it comes to legislation impacting beef farms. The association works closely with many industry partners to maintain a positive business environment for cattlemen through leadership and education. Become a member to ensure a viable Wisconsin beef industry now and in the future.